GRIM BEDROOM SCENE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1920, Page 3

GRIM BEDROOM SCENE

HUSBAND'S ALLEGED CRUELTY,

WIFE'S VIVID STORY.

A husband's alleged cruelty was vividly described last week before Mr. .Justice Cooper at the Supreme Court, Auckland, during the hearing of an undefended petition for divorce by Frances Jemima Ann "Wardle (Mr. Hall Skelton) from Arnold Wardle, formerly sewing machine canvasser. The petitioner stated that her marriage took place in Tasmania m 1909, and the parties lived in Tasmania, Australia, and for the last six years in New Zealand., There were two children. From the first her husband 'drank. On one occasion he smacked her on both sides of her face, and on another occasion kicked her upstairs. Tie also gave her a black eye. His conduct was such that she repeatedly left him, but as often forgave him and made a fresh start. Finally lie went to Wellington and she joined" him there later. One night 'at Waioukurau, when be was intoxicated, she asked him to give up drinking. "lie said hardly a word in reply, but," said the petitioner, "in grim silence he locked the door, tore my nightdress into strips, an I tried to choke me with it, I screamed, and the manager of the hotel where we were residing broke down the door. My husband tackled him. but he got the worst of the deal, and was put off the premises. Next morning he was full or remorse, and I forgave him." The petitioner described how she had to do canvassing throughout New Zealand to support the family. Twice she opened shops, one at Otautau, and one in Karangahape Road, .Wickland, but her husband's drinking habits made it impossible to carry on the business. At the Karangahape Road premises where petitioner built up a prosperous business, he ordered the staff out of the shop and'punched witness on the eye. Later lie injured her spine by pushing her against a table. She finally left him, and based her petition on his cruelty and drunken habits. Winifred Gladys Miller, a sister, who stated she was a 'theatrical artist appearing under the name of Winifred La France, corroborated a number of the allegations against the respondent and after further evidence his Honour granted a decree nisi.